The Royals are playing better now than they have at any previous point this season; playing .500 level baseball here in May. Their bats have come alive, pounding out 38 runs in their last seven games. Today’s starter Brad Keller has legitimate ace potential; KC’s top pitching prospect coming out of training camp. KC’s bullpen behind Keller is in excellent shape, fresh tonight.

Zack Eflin has a SHARP home/road dichotomy, a hurler worth backing in Philadelphia; but not on the highway. The results do not lie. Eflin has a 1.17 ERA at home this year; 5.21 on the road. Last year, he went 8-3 at home with a 3.33 ERA. ON the highway, he was 3-5 with a 5.62 ERA. In his CAREER, batters have hit nearly 40 points higher against him on the road than at home. It’s certainly not like the Phillies bullpen behind him – or their ‘hit or miss’ lineup, for that matter -- have been anything resembling consistent units. Live dog here! Take the Royals.